You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt trapped inside your home or office, surrounded by sterile walls and artificial lighting. But what if there was a way to bring the outdoors in, creating a more vibrant natural environment that benefits your physical and mental health? Enter biophilic design, the practice of incorporating natural elements into our built environments. Here are some achievable ways to bring nature into your space:
Indoor Plants
Plants are an easy way to add a touch of nature to your home. You could attempt a full living wall or consider incorporating indoor potted plants or botanical wallpaper designs into your interior space. Indoor plants look beautiful, improve air quality, reduce stress and improve mood.
Natural Materials
Using natural materials such as timber flooring, jute rugs, sisal or wool carpets, bamboo, cane or timber furniture, wicker baskets and driftwood-framed mirrors can help create a natural atmosphere in your home.
Botanical and Floral Designs
Incorporating botanical and floral designs into your space can create a natural feel. Look for fabrics, tile textures, tile printed patterns, wallpaper designs and wall art with floral or leafy patterns.
Breaking Down Hard Straight Lines
Design trends have shifted towards rounded furniture or decor items with rounded corners, textured tiles with leaf or wavy patterns, and loop pile wool carpets. Avoid shiny, polished surfaces in favour of matte and textured finishes to create a natural relaxed feel.
Water Features
Living by a river, lake or the sea provides an inherent connection to nature’s water element. Many people choose to add water features to their gardens to replicate this feeling; small tabletop fountains, wall-mounted waterfalls, rain chains and water-filled containers are popular elements of biophilic design that can add a calming ambience to your outdoor space.
Natural Light and Window Treatments
Natural light is one of the most important aspects of biophilic design. It has been linked to better sleep, improved mood and increased productivity. To prevent natural light from becoming overwhelming, use window treatments that can filter the light and provide privacy while still allowing enough natural light to fill the room. Sheer flowing fabrics can be used to soften your space while keeping the sun out, creating a soothing and comfortable atmosphere.
Biophilic design is all about bringing nature into your space to promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Organic shapes and patterns are a hallmark of this design style and can be incorporated into furniture, decor and architecture. You can easily achieve this look by selecting pieces with curvy lines, leafy patterns and colours inspired by nature. Adding greenery with hanging plants or a vertical garden can also help create a biophilic environment. When it comes to the layout and architecture of your home, consider maximising natural light and incorporating natural materials such as stone or wood to create a calming atmosphere.
Visit Guthrie Bowron’s website here.
